Somalia terror suspects released pending verdict

Published: 9 Feb 11 19:43 CET | Double click on a word to get a translation
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/31946/20110209/

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The two Swedish men convicted of planning terrorist crimes in Somalia have been released by the appeals court in Gothenburg pending a verdict on their case.

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Mohamoud Jama, 23, and 26-year-old Bille Ilias Mohamed had been sentenced by the district court to four years in prison. The appeal court statement came after 45 minutes of deliberations at the end of their trial on Wednesday.

The release of the men does not however necessarily mean that they will be acquitted of the charges, but defence counsel was hopeful.

"Most likely it means that, but it could also mean a shorter prison sentence," said Richard Backenroth.

Backenroth had argued in court for an amendment to the penalty passed down by the district court and also in that case that his client had already served his sentence.

"My client has been detained for nine months," said Backenroth.

In her closing comments, prosecutor Agneta Hilding Qvarnström called for their original sentences to be maintained.

She argued the terror attacks could have also been committed in other countries.

"In this case, I maintain that the act would have caused significant damage
to Somalia or another state or to an organisation," she said.Read More